PODCAST · education
Sake Deep Dive
by Sake Deep Dive
A sake podcast for the beyond beginner!Sake brewer Andrew Russell and sake writer/translator Jim Rion dive deep into the history and culture around Japan's national drink to bring context and insight, for when an introduction just won't cut it.Join us every month for a tokkuri full of unfiltered sake knowledge!Our theme song is from:Lotus Lane by The Loyalist - Preconceived Notions https://soundcloud.com/preconceived-n...Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lotus-laneMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/1YVHRMVwwHg
Episodes
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Sanin Ginjo - Sake from the Shadows
Ginjo sake brewing is familiar enough, but what about those folks out on the Sanin coast? Some claim they’re doing it a little differently, but Jim and Andy aren’t so sure. Is it the koji? The yeast? The climate? Come and let’s see what’s going on in the shadows. Kampai! Vocab: Ajigin 味吟 - A...
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Dankake - Building a Sake Mash
Three steps? Four steps? More?! Building a stable sake mash can be a tricky business, and here Andy and Jim dig deep into a tried and true way of making sure your fermentation is a strong one. From history to stages, variations to value, they give dankake the good ol’ Sake Deep Dive Treatment....
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Koshi no Kanbai - Snow Country Sake
Jim and Andy journey back to the snow country of Niigata to focus on a brewery that has helped shape modern sake tastes: Ishimoto Shuzo, makers of Koshi no Kanbai. From its humble origins as a small producer for the local market to the flagbearers of the jizake and tanrei karakuchi sake booms…
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Itami - Sake's Other, Other Birthplace(?)
Andy and Jim dig into the past of Itami, an influential sake brewing area in Hyogo prefecture that found itself replaced by Nada. What innovations did Itami offer up, and why did it get left in the shadows of sake history? Come listen as your hosts brush the cobwebs off a nearly-lost sake brewing...
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Niigata - How Snow Country Sake Fueled the Jizake Boom
This time, Andy and Jim take another regional dive and head to snow country: Niigata. With more sake breweries than any other prefecture, its once-hidden brands like Koshi no Kanbai and Hakkaisan are now nearly universally known to sake fans. How did this out-of-the-way region become the source…
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Brewery Hierarchy - Sake Making Structure
As the New Year brings a sake drinking season to us all, Andy and Jim take a moment to think about the people who make it and the system that keeps the brewery pumping. From toji to kurabito, the roles in a sake brewery all play an important part in keeping our tokkuri filled. Listen in for the...
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Namazake - The Story of Unpasteurized Sake
In an amazing oversight, Andy and Jim realize they’ve never dug into the history of namazake and its path toward becoming a mainstay of the modern sake market. What was the first commercially available namazake? When did it hit shelves? And most importantly, is it really only drinkable fresh?...
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Hiyaoroshi - Autumn Sake Season is Here
Summer has passed here in Japan, bringing cool evenings perfect for a nice warm tokkuri full of kanzake. You might not be surprised to hear that your hosts both agree that the sake inside should be hiyaoroshi, the sake of autumn. It’s a topic that Andy and Jim have mentioned time and again, but...
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Sugidama - Sake Brewing's Evergreen Symbol
Andy and Jim take a break from the beverage itself to talk about one of the most recognizable symbols of sake there is: the sugidama, also known as a sakabayashi… Or IS IT?! Come and listen as your hosts trim away the excess to expose the sphere of truth behind this enduring icon, including the...
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Nigori - Clearing up Cloudy Sake
In a perfect follow up to the pressing episode, Andy and Jim try to clear the water on a murky issue: nigori sake. What is it? WHY is it? How do they make it? And how should I drink it? Listen, and all the clouds will be lifted. Kanpai! Vocab for this episode Kassei nigori 活性にごり - “active” nigori...
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Natsuzake - Summertime Sake
Andy and Jim sweat over the details of summer sake. Is it light and refreshing, or hefty and punchy? Is it a brand new idea or something as old as brewing rice into booze? Lean back in your beach chair, slather on some sunscreen, and get ready to break the ice with the sake boys of summer in...
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Shibori - Sake Pressing Matters
Andy and Jim bear down and wring out their brains to get as much info as possible about an overlooked part of the sake making process: shibori. Whether you call it pressing (correctly) or filtration (hmmm…), this is a step that is both more complicated, and more important, that most people…
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Aramasa - Sake with Style
Andy and Jim go all in on a single brewery this time, looking at Akita Prefecture’s Aramasa Shuzo. Known as one of the most desirable and hard-to-get labels around, we wonder what exactly makes it that way? The answer may well lie in an obsessive focus on detail, from brewery cleaning to label...
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Sake Bars - Drinking in Japan
This time, Andy and Jim take things a little easy with a little guide to drinking in Japan. From hidden neighborhood izakaya to trendy Tokyo sake bars, they ease the way into finding and enjoying a tipple on your next trip to Japan. Vocabulary Izakaya 居酒屋 - An eating and drinking spot, meaning...
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Jizake - Local Sake Goes Global
This episode of Sake Deep Dive sees Andy and Jim go on an etymological journey to see how a once-disparaging term came to represent something sought after and, eventually, almost meaningless. Along the way, we look at how changing consumer attitudes have shaped even the smallest breweries and…
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Koji - Sake's (In?) tangible Cultural Heart
In December, UNESCO recognized “Traditional Sake Making Techniques” as Japan’s latest example of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Andy and Jim have questions, and maybe even a few answers, about what exactly that might mean. The key is, of course, koji and its use in alcoholic fermentation in Japan....
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Honjozo - A Hidden Sake Hero
Back after a brief hiatus, Andy and Jim wax lyrical over a truly overlooked, and sadly undersold style of sake: honjozo. A class that has fallen victim to misinformation, you might be surprised to find out that some of the most sought after and valued sake around is, in fact, honjozo. So, fill a...
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Gokyo - Yamaguchi's Soul Sake
This is Jim’s moment to shine! The almost inevitable moment has come as Andy and Jim talk about a sake brewery close to Jim’s heart: Sakai Shuzo, home of iconic Yamaguchi label Gokyo. Learn about the brewery’s history, philosophy, and the unique ties between it and the local community… And, of...
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Taru Sake - The Scent of Sugi
Andy and Jim crack open a barrel of history with this look at a small but cool part of sake culture: tarusake/taruzake. Originally just an accident of logistics, sake stored in sugi wood barrels is now something breweries have to go out of their way to make. Why do they do it? HOW do they do it?...
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Tanba Toji - Secret Sake Guilds
Andy and Jim explore the past and present of the first-ever association of sake brewers, the Tanba Toji. From the origins of toji as a title to the value of labor organizations to the industry, listen in to see just how big a role this rather secretive organization has played in the history of…
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Okayama - Sunshine Soaked Sake
Andy and Jim take a little trip up the Seto Inland Sea coast to sunny Okayama Prefecture, a hidden gem of sake in western Japan. A sacred land for Omachists everywhere, what makes the sake here so darn great? Come, listen and find out on Sake Deep Dive! Vocabulary from this episode: Bizen 備前…
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Kenbishi - A Sake for the Ages
Andrew and Jim take their first ever deep dive into a single brewery. Kenbishi is about as classic as it gets, and with Andrew’s first-hand experience, the talk gets deep indeed. Come see how this truly historic brand maintains its core flavor through the changing currents of history and fad!...
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Kijoshu - We Put Sake in Your Sake
This time, Andy and Jim put on airs and address the noblest of sake styles: kijoshu, a modern brew made to take on the snootiest of events. We discuss everything from the supposed mythical origins of the process to the ethics of trademarking names for shared styles. No Edo period brewing manuals...
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Blending Sake - Unmixing Truth from Fiction
Finally, the European masters have introduced the world of sake to the power of blending, something that no one in sake’s centuries of history ever thought of before. Or, not. Jim and Andy stir things up with a talk about the real, and very long, history of blending sake in all its many shapes…
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Nara - The Origin of Sake… Maybe?
Andy and Jim explore the history of Nara as an early center for sake development and innovation. From rice polishing to branding, there's a solid argument that this is where sake as a consumer good was born. Vocabulary from this episode: Katahaku - Sake that used polished rice for only the…
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Sake Brewing Tanks - Kame, Kioke, and Horo
Your humble hosts look over developments in the types of tanks used through history. It's a great chance to reflect on the surprising links between material advancements, brewing technology, and market demands. Vocabulary from this episode Horo - Enamel coating used on metal tanks Kame - A…
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Junmai - Pure (Non)Sense
Time at last for Andy and Jim to tackle the beast that is the junmai ideology. This time the gents look at just how junmai became such a hot topic, what it really means for the brewing industry, and the figures behind its postwar “revival,” if that’s what it really is. Vocabulary from this…
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Fushimi - clean, clean, clean
We are finishing our series on Japan's major brewing regions in Fushimi, Kyoto. Built around the palace of one of Japan's most powerful warlords, we discuss how this once-sleepy town literally cleaned its way to becoming one of Japan's most famous brewing regions. Vocabulary from this Episode...
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Saijo - Sake Theme Park
Saijo - Sake Theme Park The second of our series on Japan’s major brewing regions takes us to Hiroshima’s Saijo. This little town built on sake brewing is a sake lover’s dream. Seven breweries in close proximity, with museums, shops, and tasting opportunities galore. Come learn how it got to be...
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Nada: go-go sake!
This month’s topic is big, literally. In the first of a special three-part series, we explore Nada; the biggest, boldest, and most storied sake region of them all. Does Nada’s sake still have relevance within today's craft-orientated industry? Is it all just soulless, machine-made plonk for the...
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Amakara - The (Not) Sweetest Thing
This time we see what value sweetness in sake has... The same meter value! Andy and Jim try to pin down what "karakuchi" means, how sake had changed over time, and what we should really look for when buying a bottle. Kanpai! Vocab Amakuchi - typically any "sweet" thing. Karakuchi - traditionally,...
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Shuki - Our Choko Runneth Over
Andy and Jim get a little bit more personal as they take a look at a topic close to both their hearts: sake vessels! From tokkuri to hirahai, they talk bottles and cups, with a couple of bones to the wine-glass crowd, too. Raise whatever is closest to hand for a rousing kampai to shuki!…
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Pasteurization - Holding out for a Hiire
With the spring flood of namazake, Andy and Jim take their usual contrarian position and go for the hiire stuff. Why do brewers heat-treat their sake? How do they do it? And why is Andy so resistant to the idea of sticking his hand in a vat of hot sake? Find out in the latest Sake Deep Dive!...
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Yamadanishiki - The Big League
Andy and Jim climb the mountains and explore the rice fields to get to the root of the “king” of sake rice, Yamadanishiki. We look at where it came from, why it got so big, and maybe express a wee bit of skepticism about those magical Hyogo rice fields. Vocabulary from this episode: Koji Haze…
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Yamaguchi - From the Mountain’s Mouth
It was inevitable. This month, Jim and Andy wander the green mountains of Jim’s adopted home of Yamaguchi Prefecture. They touch on local history, the reemergence of Yamaguchi sake, and—of course—Dassai. They might also mention Jim’s new book, Discovering Yamaguchi Sake. On sale now wherever…
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Yamahai - Blurred Lines
In this New Year's episode of Sake Deep Dive, Andy and Jim get back to the start—yeast starter, that is. We round out the group by taking on yamahai this time, building on what we’ve already covered in the kimoto and sokujo episodes with how it came to be, and what it is becoming now. Vocabulary...
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Koji - Whatta Fungi
Show Notes In the latest Sake Deep Dive, Andy and Jim take on Japan’s national mold, Aspergillus oryzae–the lowly koji-kin. This is less a historical exploration and more a real look at the nitty gritty on this itty bitty ruler of the sake world. CORRECTION: During the episode, Jim mistakenly...
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Kodaishu - Days of Yore
Kodaishu - Days of Yore Show Notes Andy and Jim explore the very oldest kinds of sake in search of the real roots. From drunken serpents to monkly brews, we look at the earliest records of sake to see how it developed in the olden days. Vocabulary from this episode Sumizake - An ancient kind of...
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Terroir 2 - The Bonsai Theory
Show Notes: In a departure from the typical fact-based fare, this time Andy and Jim trawl the murky depths of terroir. What is it, really? No, really? And, is it really going to “save sake?” Predictably, we don’t think so… Enjoy the second part of our first ever two-parter! Recommended Sake in…
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Terroir 1 - Nous Ne Parlons Pas
Show Notes: In a departure from the typical fact-based fare, this time Andy and Jim trawl the murky depths of terroir. What is it, really? No, really? And, is it really going to “save sake?” Predictably, we don’t think so… This time, recording ran pretty long so we're splitting this into our…
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Miyamizu - Not Quite Holy Water
Show Notes: Andy and Jim look into perhaps the most famous brewing water in Japan: Miyamizu. Why is it so famous? Why ISN’T it part of Nada’s rise to fame? All will be revealed! NOTE: Issues beyond our control resulted in some need for re-recording and editing, so sound quality is kind of spotty…
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Sokujo - Dropping the New Science
Show Notes: Andy and Jim take on Sokujomoto, the incredibly common fast yeast starter. On the way, they explore its linked history with yamahai, talk about how it got so common, and clarify its modern variations. Recommended Sake in this Episode: Andrew: Bijofu Ginjo Rei Jim: Takarabune Junmai...
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Rice Polishing- The Miller Tells His Tale
Show Notes: This month, Jim and Andy grind away at the true first stage of sake brewing: rice polishing. Or is it milling? Seimai. Whatever. They work their usual magic looking at the whos, whats, whens, and whys of how genmai becomes hakumai. Come and listen! Recommended Sake in this Episode:...
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Kanzake - It's Getting Hot in Here
Jim and Andy take on one of the most persistent sake myths around: that hot sake means bad sake. Here, they go back to see just how long people have been warming up their tipples, explore why the practice seems to have fallen out of favor, and of course offer up their own preferences. Recommended...
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Omachi - The Gentle Giant
Show Notes: Your two resident Omachists take on the only rice variety with its own fan club, Omachi. The gentle giant has a rabid fanbase, but why? What makes it different? Where’s it from? Andy brings his hands-on experience and Jim brings his unending thirst to this month’s Sake Deep Dive....
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Bodaimoto - Brewing at the Buddha's Foot
This month, Andy and Jim look into the mystical (or not) Bodaimoto method of making sake. What is it? Where did it come from? Where did it come BACK from? All will be revealed as we clear away the mists of myth to become one with the truth of this ancient sake brewing method. Recommended Sake in...
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Koshu - It's Time That We Love
In this episode of Sake Deep Dive, Jim and Andy tackle koshu-the history and culture of aging sake. Once more, our intrepid geeks go back to the early days of sake to see just what age does to our favorite beverage. We discuss the ancient history of aging sake, the Lost Century that saw the...
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Kimoto: Raising Wee Beasties
Kimoto: Raising Wee Beasties The is a really deep dive, even for us. Kimoto: Raising Wee Beasties sees Andrew Russell and Jim Rion discuss the venerable kimoto method of making the seed mash for sake brewing, and hopefully clear up some common misconceptions about it and its close relative of...
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Sake Shallow Dive - A Look Back at 2021
Happy Holidays! ☆ Andrew Russell and Jim Rion bring a special episode of Sake Deep Dive for your Christmas listening pleasure-after the presents are open and carols are sung, warm up a tokkuri and settle in for some sake chat. ☆ This time, we’re keeping it casual and looking back at the year that...
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Aruten: A Constant Companion
Aruten: A Constant Companion In this episode of Sake Deep Dive, Co-Hosts Andrew Russel and Jim Rion go back the very beginnings of when, and why, distilled alcohol was first added to seishu, trace the rise and fall of aruten, and see just what goes into this delicious class of sake. Recommended...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
A sake podcast for the beyond beginner!Sake brewer Andrew Russell and sake writer/translator Jim Rion dive deep into the history and culture around Japan's national drink to bring context and insight, for when an introduction just won't cut it.Join us every month for a tokkuri full of unfiltered sake knowledge!Our theme song is from:Lotus Lane by The Loyalist - Preconceived Notions https://soundcloud.com/preconceived-n...Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lotus-laneMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/1YVHRMVwwHg
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Sake Deep Dive have?
Sake Deep Dive currently has 52 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Sake Deep Dive about?
A sake podcast for the beyond beginner!Sake brewer Andrew Russell and sake writer/translator Jim Rion dive deep into the history and culture around Japan's national drink to bring context and insight, for when an introduction just won't cut it.Join us every month for a tokkuri full of unfiltered...
How often does Sake Deep Dive release new episodes?
Sake Deep Dive has 52 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Sake Deep Dive?
You can listen to Sake Deep Dive on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Sake Deep Dive?
Sake Deep Dive is created and hosted by Sake Deep Dive.
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